Stafford Mayor says thanks for turning out

THANK you to all the hundreds of people who braved some wet and windy weather to line the streets of the town centre and show support for the servicemen and women who were marking 400 years of the Mayoralty in Stafford by exercising their Freedom of the Borough.

It was a very proud day for me personally as I was elected the new mayor - 400 years after Matthew Cradocke became our first citizen in 1614.

And I was honoured to have our Armed Forces there, along with other organisations who have been granted Freedom of the Borough, to share in this historic Saturday.

The smiles on the faces of the families and children who were enjoying the marvellous fun day in the Market Square are memories I will carry with me throughout my mayoral year and beyond.